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Niël Terblanché The Namibian government, with the financial support of Rössing Uranium, has commenced the construction of a new police station in the sprawling DRC informal settlement of Swakopmund. The groundbreaking ceremony, officiated by Dr Albert Kawana, the Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety, and Security, marks a critical step in enhancing public safety, and security while also improving the well-being of DRC residents. Kawana stressed the project's importance and said that the new police station is not just a building but a symbol of hope, security, and progress for the community. "This police station represents more than just a…

Ester Mbathera The Etunda Green Scheme Irrigation Project has reported continuous production activities since the return of the Green Schemes to the Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform (MAWLR) in 2022. The farm manager, Sacky Shilyomunhu, and his team last week started with the final harvest of 180 hectares of maize and are simultaneously planting 210 hectares of wheat. “We are currently busy with the harvesting of maize that we planted in the summer," said Shilyomunhu. He said that out of the 180 hectares planted at the beginning of the year, they have so far harvested 120 hectares. “We…

Niël Terblanché The government convened a stakeholder forum on wildlife protection and relevant law enforcement issues. This initiative comes in response to the increasing concerns highlighted by international financial institutions, which have listed environmental crimes, including wildlife crimes and money laundering, among the top threats in Namibia's national risk assessment. The forum is also partly aimed at preventing Namibia from being grey-listed by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). Pohamba Shifeta, the Minister of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism, opened the special forum and pointed to Namibia's historical success in wildlife protection post-independence. "Since controlling a surge in poaching in the…

Martin Endjala Namibian consumers struggle to make ends meet, as the high cost of living continues to affect household finances. Lara Enslin, the chief executive officer at TransUnion Namibia, said on Wednesday that the latest Consumer Pulse Study by TransUnion shows that 49% of Namibian consumers are unable to pay at least one of their current bills and loans in full. Of those consumers, 25% plan to borrow from a friend or family member to help pay some of their current bills and loans. “As a result, many consumers shifted their spending behaviour in the past quarter, including cutting back…

Niël Terblanché The Swakopmund International Trade Expo (SWAITEX) 2024 welcomed a rare and momentous occasion as the President and Vice President of Botswana joined President Nangolo Mbumba at the event's official opening. President Nangolo Mbumba, while welcoming President Mokgweetsi Masisi, hailed the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) event as a substantial milestone for Swakopmund. He said the visit by Botswana’s head of state and his delegation clearly demonstrates growing bilateral relations between the two countries. "It is a rare occasion to have both a president and a vice president from another country visit together,” Mbumba said. He added…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Bishop Lukas Katenda of the Evangelical Angelica Church of Namibia said traditional, cultural, and religious marriage has always been between a natural man and a natural woman and should remain that way. Katenda was responding to the new bill that parliament had tabled on Tuesday. “The same-sex marriage that society is now pushing is a new phenomenon, people should listen to doctors on what they say about men who are sleeping with other men,” said Katenda. According to him, sexual activities, especially between two men, are dangerous in the long run. “They might be enjoying it now, but…